Almost 15,000 Tesco colleagues sign up for quick and easy virtual GP service in first year

Tesco, the UK’s largest private-sector employer, has revealed that its new virtual GP service has been a huge hit with colleagues in its first year – with an average of 98% of colleagues offered an appointment within 24 hours.

A total of 14,729 colleagues have registered for the service, which offers speedy appointments with a GP seven days a week for colleagues and their families.

In the year following its launch in July 2023, a total of 13,724 appointments were made by the company’s employees and their families, with the top three categories covering respiratory issues, ear, nose and throat complaints or problems with muscles, bones and joints.

Appointments can be an online video consultation with a doctor via a smartphone, tablet or computer, or a phone call, giving access to a GP anywhere, any time it’s needed. 

Over the first six months of 2024, an average of 98% of Tesco colleagues were offered an appointment within 24 hours and in February this year, that figure peaked at 99%.

The latest report on the service showed that 8% of prescriptions issued by the virtual doctors have been for the children of Tesco colleagues. In the last quarter, the service was most popular with employees in the age group 18-39, with around one in ten appointments made for children under the age of 18.

Colleagues have welcomed the virtual GP service for allowing them to quickly and easily receive advice or a diagnosis free of charge.

A colleague who used the service, campaign manager Amy Bill, said:“The virtual GP service is super easy to use. I had a same-day call with a GP, who took the time to understand my needs. It was a really good experience.”

The virtual GP service was one of a series of expanded wellbeing services that Tesco introduced last year for its 300,000 UK employees. Its Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) offers access to sleep therapists, nutritionists, counsellors, exercise coaches and physiotherapists 24/7 for instant advice and guidance to support their mental wellbeing.

Thousands of Tesco colleagues have registered for EAP and attended appointments during the year, to get help and support for a range of emotional and physical issues.

The EAP has helped Tesco to identify some key trends it needs to tackle in order to help its workforce to be healthier, with early results indicating that colleagues using the service could benefit from getting more sleep, taking more exercise and eating a more balanced diet. Tesco is monitoring this data to help identify how best to support colleague wellbeing.

James Goodman, UK People Director, Tesco, said:“We have been delighted with the very positive reaction from colleagues to the new virtual GP service. We are seeing usage levels at four times our original target.

“Colleagues love the fact that they can get an appointment with a GP really quickly and get on with their life. We are also supporting colleagues with their emotional and physical wellbeing.

“Our investment in the health of our colleagues allows them to be at their best to continue to provide brilliant service for our customers.”

ENDS

Notes

• The virtual GP and EAP benefits are available to Tesco front line colleagues and managers, plus their immediate families living in the same household, across the UK (including Tesco Bank and Booker).
• The services are provided by YuLife, in partnership with Health Hero Limited for the virtual GP appointments, and Halo (Healthcare rm) for EAP services.
• For private prescriptions, the colleague pays for their medication and any delivery charges.